Residents panic as burial rites begin

The Ogun State government yesterday announced the passage of the Olota of Ota, in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Council, Oba Moshood Alani Oyede.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Dayo Adeneye, the state government said the state would surely miss the fatherly role of the traditional ruler.

The statement described the late monarch as an educationist and ‎community leader, who worked for the development of Ota town and Ogun State in general. It would be recalled that the late monarch joined his ancestors last Thursday during a brief illness at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

The traditional council thereafter forwarded a letter to the state government on Friday night. Oba Oyede, a first class traditional ruler in the state was said to have spent 19 years on the throne of his forefathers.

The burial rites are already underway and are expected to continue tomorrow, marking seven days since his demise. This has left residents of the town where former president Olusegun Obasanjo used to reside, in panic. They were advised to stay indoors between 11pm and dawn, as the final passage rites of the deceased would be in progress.

However, immediately after the official announcement yesterday, the industrial hub of Ogun State, Sango and environs were thrown into turmoil as schools and markets were forced to close abruptly in honour of the departed monarch.

The streets became deserted as many residents, who worked in Lagos stayed away from the area for fear of being caught in the curfew imposed on the town for the passage rites.